Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-02-25

AEE.aFrEN -
The "vili Power, a Broken Feed.
Biologists make much Of the "in-
huential nerYee," which seem TO be the
point of contact with the soul, in dis
tlnction from the .tautomstIc nerves."
the agents of the outer senses and the
strictly physical instincts. impairment
OF the former results in impairment of
the will. 1t has also been noticed that
lesion Of the frontal oonvolutions des-
troys the power of self-deSermination
and action. This impairment may be
brought about suddenly by accident, by
surgical operation, or through the use OF
certain powerful drugs. II may also be
accomplished as surely by slower pro-
cess.
This fact brings US face to face with
our subject: the will may be impaired
by various forms OF physical abuse.
The connecting links between body aud
frontal convolrtions," or Something not
yet discovered by the biologiat-are not
only subtle in their action, but delicate
in their structure, exquisitely sensitive
to injury. We cite some physical habits
which prey directly upon this medium:
The use OF opium is most deleterious
AZ v RtSAOA uROu bal1 oyCnOsH1yb lShl
connection. DeQuincey wrote from his
own experience: "The opium.eater
loses none of his moral sensibllities or
aspirations; he wishes end longs 90
earnestly as ever to. realize what he
believes possible and feels to be exacted
BY duty; bnt his intellectual apprehen-
sion OF what is possible infinitely out
runs its power not only ~of,execution, but
aror kha nnnar - okkaunn1 III
lies in sight OF all he would fain perform,
Just as q man foroibly confined to his
bed by the moral lapguor Of a relaxing
disease, who is compelled to witness in.
jury or outrage offered to some object
Of his tenderest love. He curses the
spell which chains him down from
notion"
The abuse OF alcohol has o very similar
effect. Ribot observes OF intoxiostion
that after o period OF representation it
brings q notable impairment of will" 1t
is . fearful thought that one such
"super.excitation'' in debauch may pro-
duce the lesion OF delicste nerve cub
stance, which no after years of sobriety
can heal. How many men have been
ruined thus in a single night, who never
even suspected the occasion of their fail.
ing enterprise. A wise old physician
once said to q young man, "You may
come cut OF one OF your innocent sprees'
an imbeoile."
But sven the moderate use Of alcohol
has no sure immunity from this terrible
consequence. Az there Is such o thing
A. cumulative poisoning, in which the
sediment Of many comparatively harm
less drugs aggregates at length o deadly
one, 30 the alcoholic principle eats its
way, strand BY strand, through the inf
Intestinal fibers Of this rein BY which the
soul directs the life. DR.. Maudsley
holds these ominons words over tho
head OF the tipplers who o stagger
ct is not possible for you TO escape The
penalty OF weakening the will" The
stsmulant which Nesrningly adds courage
for business enterprise, physical daring,
aiertness on the platform, patience in
study, equanimity in trial; does really
no such thing. Science joins Scripture
In asserting thai IL is 80 rnocker,s and
steals away from ono the power OF reso-
ntioa.-Jamss n. Laalow. ., 2.